Back to business. Boris Johnson takes over the reins of the government on Monday 27 April after being hit by the Covid-19 which led him to intensive care for several days. The British Prime Minister is under pressure to unveil his plans for containment in the UK, which has exceeded 20,000 dead on Saturday.

Since leaving the hospital on April 12, the 55-year-old head of the Conservative government recovers at Checkers, the country residence of British Prime Ministers, while his team faces criticism over his management of a crisis gone to last.

During his hospital stay, Boris Johnson spent three days in intensive care. He said that things "could very well have changed", hailing the staff of the British public health service, the NHS, to which he "owes his life".

On the night of Saturday to Sunday, sources from Downing Street told British media that he would return to his office on Monday, and that he was "looking forward" to getting there. This confirmed what the Daily Telegraph, a pro-conservative newspaper, said on Friday.

There are already signs, such as the fact that the Conservative leader has spoken by phone over the past week with US President Donald Trump and Queen Elisabeth II, already suggested a rapid return.

Transition management that prevents any major decision

The British have been called to stay at home for over a month now. Unemployment soaring, diseases other than Covid-19 not always treated, schools closed .... There are strong expectations for Boris Johnson to share his plans to try to put the economy back in working order and explain himself the future of containment, introduced on March 23 and extended at least until May 7.

The head of the Conservative government is currently being replaced by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominic Raab, who chaired successive crisis meetings. But it would require the approval of the entire government, which the press says divided, for any major decision.

The chief diplomat shared the burden of the task with Michael Gove, Boris Johnson's right-hand man, and Matt Hancock during this period, which corresponds with what the health authorities believe to be the peak of the epidemic.

With more than 20,000 deaths recorded in hospitals, the United Kingdom is among the most severely affected countries in Europe. The balance sheet promises to be heavier once the deaths occurring in retirement homes and at home will be counted.

The worst recession "for several centuries"

As for the consequences for the economy, the Bank of England warned Thursday that the country would have to face the worst recession "for several centuries".

While public opinion remains in favor of containment, the heavyweights of the government, during the absence of Boris Johnson, have faced increasing criticism. The new Labor opposition leader, Keir Starmer, accused the power of slowness, whether on confinement, screening or protective equipment which caregivers but also retirement homes are sorely lacking.

The government has so far refused to come up with a date for easing the restrictions, saying it fears an upsurge and explaining that it awaits the advice of scientists.

>> Read also: Covid-19 vaccine: first human trials in the United Kingdom

The presence of Boris Johnson's advisor, Dominic Cummings, revealed by the Guardian, to several meetings of the scientific committee responsible for lighting the government's lantern, including that of March 23, the date on which the containment was decreed, came to sow the seeds doubt about its independence.

If Downing Street, scolding the media in passing, stresses that political advisers have "no role", the Labor opposition judges that this affair comes to damage the confidence of the British.

Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also increased the pressure by lifting the veil on her strategy, notably with the gradual reopening of some businesses and schools.

In Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Arlene Foster has hinted that she could lift the restrictions before England does.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR